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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lab Manager in California is $133,787 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $64.
However, a Lab Manager's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lab Manager Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $146,646 | $12,221 | $2,820 | $71 |
| Average | $133,787 | $11,149 | $2,573 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,608 | $9,967 | $2,300 | $58 |
Veracity - Murrieta, CA
Caltech (California) - Pasadena, CA
Carbon Health - Los Angeles, CA
UC Davis Health System - Berkeley, CA
A Lab Manager's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lab Manager's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Laborator... Level Lab Manager | $92,310 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Manager | $108,930 |
| Lab Manag... Level Lab Manager | $132,841 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Manager | $161,237 |
| Laborator... Level Lab Manager | $188,944 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Lab Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Lab Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 51% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Construction and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Lab Manager positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lab Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | $160,545 | $77.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $153,855 | $74.0 | 15% |
| Media | $149,842 | $72.0 | 12% |
| Telecom | $148,504 | $71.0 | 11% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $147,166 | $71.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Lab Manager's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $146,646 | $12,221 | $2,820 | $71 |
| Average | $133,787 | $11,149 | $2,573 | $64 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,608 | $9,967 | $2,300 | $58 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lab Manager job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Alan B. Miller Medical Center
Wildomar, CA
Alan B. Miller Medical Center | Wildomar, CA
Manager Of LaboratorySouthwest Healthcare Inland Valley Hospital in Wildomar, California, is a licensed 122-bed facility accredited by the Joint Commission... more
8 Days Ago
K.A. Recruiting
Bakersfield, CA
K.A. Recruiting | Bakersfield, CA
Laboratory Manager. I have a great client actively hiring a permanent Laboratory Manager. Responsibilities. Coordinates and supervises all functions of the... more
8 Days Ago
SESAME
San Francisco, CA
SESAME | San Francisco, CA
About SesameSesame believes in a future where computers are lifelike - with the ability to see, hear, and collaborate with us in ways that feel natural and... more
8 Days Ago
Hired by Matrix
Mountain Mesa, CA
Hired by Matrix | Mountain Mesa, CA
Clinical Lab Scientist and Lab Manager. City: Lake Isabella. State: CA. Job Type: Travel. Discipline: Allied Health Professional. Speciality: Clinical Lab ... more
9 Days Ago
University of California , San Francisco
San Francisco, CA
University of California , San Francisco | San Francisco, CA
Administrative Lab ManagerM_PEDS-ADMIN-CORE-RESEARCHFull Time88312BRJob SummaryThe Administrative Lab Coordinator will be a key administrative team member ... more
8 Days Ago
Dignity Health
Oxnard, CA
Dignity Health | Oxnard, CA
Job Summary and ResponsibilitiesSt. John's Heart and Vascular Center is a nationally recognized program that provides the most comprehensive cardiac servic... more
8 Days Ago
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